GAYLORD, Mich. – Officials have confirmed the tornado that touched down in Gaylord on Friday was an EF-3 with maximum winds of around 150 mph.
At least two people were killed and 44 others were hurt during the storm, according to officials.
Both victims who were killed were residents of a Gaylord mobile home park. They were in their 70s, officials said.
The National Weather Service said the tornado moved through Gaylord at 3:48 p.m. Friday. It was on the ground for about 26 minutes, NSW officials said. The damage to homes, vehicles, and businesses was severe.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency.
About 9,000 people are without power statewide, according to Consumer Energy.
How rare was this tornado?
To have a tornado this strong that far north in Michigan is rare. According to the data, there have only been four other tornadoes that far north in the state of Michigan with a rating of EF-3 (or F-3) or greater:
- July 3, 1974: F3 tornado hit parts of Ostego county west of Gaylord.
- July 11, 1987: F3 tornado was on the ground for a very long time from near Iron Mountain to near Manistique.
- July 4, 1986: F3 tornado hit parts of Menominee county west of Escanaba.
- May 28, 1991: F3 tornado briefly on the ground in southern Menominee county.
It’s also worth noting there was an F-4 tornado that traveled from just north of Eastlake to the Grand Traverse Bay back on April 3, 1956, but this is further south than Gaylord.
At least 12 homes were demolished by the tornado.
Below is a statement from Whitmer about the state of emergency:
I have declared a state of emergency for Otsego County to rush resources to the affected areas, and the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to coordinate our state’s response. Our state is grateful for the first responders and utility workers who are working hard to keep everyone safe. Michiganders are tough. We are resilient. And there’s no challenge we can’t get through together.
Gov. Gretechen Whitmer
Check out: Pictures, videos show considerable damage from tornado in Gaylord area